Messages

I think the GAA shot themselves in the foot this weekend, while a double bill for the Dubs at Croke Park on Saturday is great craic (I did a double bill one time before) what it done to the pitch for the club finals had an effect on the games, the lads hurled great and the effort the footballers put in was outstanding but can't help thinking it was daft

The referee did really well, this was helped by the fact that the footballers want to play football, most calls were very easy to call and he got them right, as for letting a play unfold after the time allowed for injuries thats not in the rule book, so tough luck on Ballymun

We're keycamping in South of France this summer, after pricing transfers & having a good think about it we have hired a car, got a Ford Focus standard yoke for £270 ( for 12 nights, with 2 child seats)- i booked that before Christmas & a co-worker doing something similar said the price had jumped significantly when he went to book. We're flying with Aer Lingus & (supposedly) get keener car-hire rates of Hertz.

I found that it was really cheap to hire before Xmas too, whereabouts in the South of France Benny? Been there 3 times with Keycamp style holidays, though if you hire your van through the actual site it's at least 15 to 20% cheaper

Anyone ever book a keycamp holiday in Spain?
Hoping to go to Salou this summer but the price of airport transfers is absolutely ridiculous.
Getting quotes of £500!!! Surely there has to be a cheaper alternative but its the hassle of different stops etc with family.

We went to a place south of Barcelona (40 miles) Cracking spot, loads of pools restaurants and bars, great local beach which was on site to. Will get name later can't remember it off hand. You could get the train from Barcelona to the nearsest town (about 2 miles from site) or hire a car though its pricey

[Today we'll down a few pints and regale in past games, the truth will be distorted and the memories a bit jaded but I know we'll laugh for most of the day and shout at the TV during the game. Canny wait]

Today for me has always been about the club, we've always had something on, a regular challenge game in memory of a past player a in house tournament with past and present players, a Ceile in the clubrooms, stew for food and the club finals, we've been very lucky as a club to have been to two finals, one as losers and the last one as winners.

As GAA followers having the club finals on St Patricks day gives you a great feeling. Today we'll down a few pints and regale in past games, the truth will be distorted and the memories a bit jaded but I know we'll laugh for most of the day and shout at the TV during the game. Canny wait

Will be a brave few 'if onlys' I'd say

It's the ones you lose that you never forget, I love when other playes remember a game you played in and your own memory is completly different lol the point you scored was forty yards out but they remember you were ten yards out and missed !!

Today for me has always been about the club, we've always had something on, a regular challenge game in memory of a past player a in house tournament with past and present players, a Ceile in the clubrooms, stew for food and the club finals, we've been very lucky as a club to have been to two finals, one as losers and the last one as winners.

As GAA followers having the club finals on St Patricks day gives you a great feeling. Today we'll down a few pints and regale in past games, the truth will be distorted and the memories a bit jaded but I know we'll laugh for most of the day and shout at the TV during the game. Canny wait

Well I've picked my bets for tomorrow's games, thankfully France managed to win by more than 6 points to give me free bets for tomorrow.

Going for a Ballymun, and K-K win

Might hit the football game for a draw If K-K get chined!! at 7/1 it's a fair price for what I think will be a tight game

All very embarrassing

Hopefully once the leagues start we could have something constructive to chat about

agreed but nothing wrong with debating the county Mr2, I only came on here to get reports from wexford and see who played well or bad. how are your lads going, whats the word from the city. I here jonty putting in a big effort with St Johns

By all accounts Jonty will have the Johnnies going well, I hope I'm not refereeing his games ffs!! be mental listening to the line. Rossa putting in a great pre season also and Sarsfields will be the major players in Div 2 i think, Kevo has the lads training and playing a lot of games pre season, the under 21's they have have finally matured I think so they will win Intermediate this year and possibly pip us for the Div 2 title.

We will push hard and with Loughgiel in Belfast I know the lads are looking forward to it (perversely) so all good. Think the championship will be hard this year, Loughgiel are justified favourites but will get it tighter this year but should prevale

All very embarrassing

Hopefully once the leagues start we could have something constructive to chat about

Jealousy has a big part play in it mr2.

On another note, I hear the biddies beat oisins in a friendly today. Big win for them.

That may be the case but what happens in a club should not cross over when representing Antrim.

That performance was depressing. Hard to comprehend how poor we were.

Couldn't make it, I was refereeing a Feile game (sleet,snow,wind!!!) Were our lads not up for it ? No fight? Or beat by a better team?

On the Feile game, these lads haven't even started the league yet and they have played the Feile games already, unfair on lads to play in those conditions IMO

[antics on and off field last year left a lot to be desired]

hurlers getting stuffed again. What the squad doesn't need now is anyone else coming into the squad because its a good, happy,  tight unit. 

Hurlers getting beat and you think the solution to them not getting beat is to bow and scrape to individuals who have already been asked? 

Did no one tell you it not all about the winning? Can you not separate principles from club allegiance?

Perhaps that's the difference between you and me Skull, where I sit it is all about the winning. What's the point otherwise? Maybe that's why we've had the success we've had as a club, different mentality. 

Ryan ploughed his trough when he told our players they had to train with the county even though they were still in the AI at that time if they wanted to be considered for the panel. Mental. he's retreated backwards on that more times than enough. And also when the county captain gives interviews like he did a few weeks ago in the press, and his and his club mates childish antics on and off field last year left a lot to be desired , you need to look as to why some fellas don't feel welcome within the current Antrim fold. And you seem to think I'm referring to one player. He's made it clear he's not available this year. I expect no one to bow to anyone, that's the point.

I'm sure there are many clubs that have lads that are very childish.

While I would love my club to win every competition they play in, I want Antrim hurling to improve overall and that won't happen when people throw their dummies out. I've never known an Antrim team to have so much disharmony in it. It really is annoying

You may have a point there Hardy on the fence but surely she would have known there was a rope there and knew to keep the horse out from it?

Yes, ultimately it's her fault. But she's eighteen, about to win a race at the festival. The horse is obviously following the rail, the rail disappears, the horse keeps left, suddenly there's a pole in front of him and he has to dive right. It's easy to be wise after the event, but it seems a little help from the course management in the form of a plastic rail pulled into place for the last circuit wouldn't go amiss. I won't be surprised if we see it after this.

Absolutely and it could have been prevented by the course management as you say.  Probably will see changes.

That said she was travelling well and I guess we will never know but would Salsify got her anyways?

A double up with Alderwood and McCoys other winner earlier on. Only day I didn't lose!!

I'm racing on Sunday MR in a 10k in downpatrick and from there on it'll be a light enough week with 3 or 4 runs. One will incorporate about 15 minutes at race pace but easy miles that aside.

I've been doing at least 13 miles once a week since early February so hopefully the distance is in the legs.

1:40 over a half would be a good time. Not sure what I'll get. Had a bad experience at Larne previously where the wheels firmly came off so hoping not to repeat that!

Not fussed on a running club, would only be interested if I were serious, but it defo helps I'd say.

Legs a bit sore under the calf afterwards but grand now, will do a couple twenty minutes run during week and lash her out on Saturday. Using the forerunner has definitely helped with keeping a pace started off around 7.20 kept it there for 4/5 miles didn't get above 8.00 for any sustained time the rest of the way. Would give it a good sprint (faster jog) near the end maybe last half mile, if I have anything left!!

Selections for today in a 3 doubles and a treble bet

Far West
At Fishers Cross
Alderwood

Thank fook it's nearly over

I'm planning to do it mr. Been training for a few months for it. First real crack at a half.

<1.22? hope goes well man. Great distance to race.

cheers i'll tell you next week... Hope to be in round that and maybe a bit quicker but we'll see. 10k this sunday to take care of first!

Will you be wearing club or county colours? Or alternatively, a proper running vest?

Almost county colours in the form of a running club vest so yes kind of and yes...

Went out and did my longest run this morning tommy, managed 9 miles in 1h.10mins. Could keep that pace for next week but doubt very much there is anything extra pace wise, so will be happy with around the 1.40 mark next week. What's your prep for the week?